Buffer Strips Along the Big Sioux River and Skunk Creek Improve Water Quality

By City of Sioux Falls

Cleaner water is ahead for the Big Sioux River and Skunk Creek, in part because of the newly implemented buffer strips along the waterways. Low-use areas adjacent to the Big Sioux River are being converted from turf grass to native plantings or no-mow areas in an effort to improve water quality.

“Farmers and ranchers are not the only ones that can make a difference in improving the water quality of the Big Sioux. The bigger cities and smaller towns up and down this critical waterway need to step up to the plate and do their part, and yes, that includes Sioux Falls in a big way,” says Mayor Mike Huether.

The City of Sioux Falls is dedicated to improving the water quality of the Big Sioux River. Urban storm water runoff is one source of pollution in our watershed. Most of the City’s bike trail runs adjacent to the Big Sioux River, which makes it an excellent site for native plantings and no-mow areas.

Fifteen acres between the bike trail and the river in Nelson Park, Cherry Rock Park, Pasley Park, and Tuthill Park have been converted to no-mow areas. These no-mow areas help to filter storm water runoff before it reaches the waterways.

Three areas have been planted with native grasses. The deep roots of native plantings stabilize soils and allow for better infiltration of storm water. The areas include: j Four acres near the intersection of 57th Street and

Western Avenue. j Eleven acres in Legacy Park. j Five acres in Dunham Park.

As part of this project, the City was awarded funding by the South Dakota Discovery Center to install educational signage about the water quality benefits of native grass

Native Grasses sign which will be installed at Legacy and Dunham parks in Sioux Falls.

buffer strips at Dunham Park and Legacy Park. The signs are set for installation in the spring of 2017.

Designated native plantings and City drainageways are left natural to mimic a wetlands habitat. A 12-foot wide access path is mowed for maintenance personnel and to provide a buffer between private property and the City’s natural areas.

More native planting and no-mow areas are being considered for future inclusion in the program. For more information about buffer strips and native plantings, visit www.siouxfalls.org/green.

Buffer Strip Fun Facts

j The Sioux Falls park system includes more than 3,000 acres of parkland. j A total of 146 acres now are established as native plantings or no-mow areas. j One acre of established prairie plantings can absorb 9 inches of rainfall per hour, and as much as 53 tons of water during a 1-inch-per-hour rain event. j Native plants are adapted to the Midwest climate; and, therefore require little care. Native plants improve water quality, attract a greater diversity of wildlife, and limit the maintenance of these areas in the future.

SDSU Community Development Team Bits & Pieces

SDSU Extension Strategic Planning Process Assists Organizations like the Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce

SDSU Extension uses the Appreciative Inquiry approach as we assist organizations and communities with strategic planning. Our 1-day session, recently used by the Yankton Chamber of Commerce, allows groups to find their strengths, and then to build on those strengths for future growth.

As participants reflect on what has gone well in the past, they can vision about possibilities for the next 1-3 years that eventually turn into action ideas for the future.

For more information about strategic planning with SDSU Extension, contact Kari O’Neill at 605-685-6972 or kari.oneill@sdstate.edu.

Small Business Beginnings Class Held in Wagner/ Lake Andes

The SDSU Extension Community Development Team recently held a series of five Small Business Beginnings classes in Wagner/Lake Andes.

Small Business Beginnings is a workshop series designed to help entrepreneurs and existing business owners create or update their business and marketing plan. This workshop series is typically 5- 6 sessions long, depending on the needs of the community or organization.

Topics covered include: Entrepreneurship – Planning for Success, Types of Business Structures, Business Planning, Introduction to Feasibility & Market Analysis, Marketing, Sales/Use/Excise Tax & Licensing, Personality Types, Personnel, Customer Service, Financial Statements, and Financing Options. Participants heard from a variety of entrepreneurs during an “Entrepreneur Spotlight” at the beginning of each session and they also participated in Board Meetings where they got ideas from other class participants.

Above: Participants during the 4th session of the Small Business Beginnings workshop. Below: Groups working during their board meetings.

Guest speakers were used to connect participants with available resources in South Dakota. Speakers came from a Small Business Development Center, the SD Dept. of Labor, the SD Dept. of Revenue, the SD Dept. of Ag, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, a local law office, a local accounting firm, and a local bank.

For more information about Small Business Beginnings with SDSU Extension, contact Peggy Schlechter, Community Development Field Specialist at 605-3941722 or peggy.schlechter@sdstate.edu.

Hot Springs City Departments Leadership Training

Over twenty Hot Springs department heads and city officials, including the mayor and Chamber Executive, attended a leadership training led by SDSU Extension Community Development in November. The first part of the morning was spent learning and discussing differences between cultures and generations, through interactive activities and research-based data. In the second session, participants learned what motivates their team, and ways to build a great team based on the information they discovered throughout the morning.

SDSU Extension Community Development can offer leadership topic training sessions for a variety of organizations and can custom fit presentations to your time frame. Contact Kari O’Neill at kari.oneill@sdstate.edu or 605-685-6972 for more information.

Hot Springs City Council Development Seminar

Five Hot Springs City Council members and the City’s Finance Officer, attended a City Council Development Seminar led by SDSU Extension Community Development in October. The half day seminar was spent learning and discussing items such as: Personality/Occupation/Interests, Key rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Principles of Good Governance, Accountability and Organizational Responsibilities and Building a Sense of Community, through interactive activities and research-based data.

For more information about City Council Development contact Community Development Field Specialist Paul Thares at 605-374-4177 or paul.thares@sdstate.edu.

Hot Springs City Finance Officer and City Councilmembers during the City Council Development Seminar.

SDSU Extension Community Development Team

The SDSU Extension Community Development Team can offer any of the above mentioned programs among others. They can custom fit presentations to your needs and time frame.

For more information about what type of programs and/or tools the SDSU Community Development Team can offer you or your community contact: j Kari O’Neill, Martin SD, 605-658-6972 or kari.oneill@sdstate.edu j Kenny Sherin, Mitchell Regional Center, 605-9957378 or kenneth.sherin@sdstate.edu j Paul Thares, Lemmon Regional Center, 605-374-4177 or paul.thares@sdstate.edu j Peggy Schlechter, Rapid City Regional Center, 605394-1722 or peggy.schlechter@sdstate.edu